Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make something sexual in character or quality; to attribute sexuality or sexual aspects to something.
   • To endow with sex or a gender; to classify or interpret as having sexual characteristics.

Usage

The verb sexualise describes the act of imposing a sexual dimension or interpretation onto something that may not inherently possess it. It often carries a critical connotation, suggesting an unnecessary or inappropriate imposition of sexuality. It can refer to attributing biological sex to concepts or objects, or to perceiving or portraying non-sexual subjects in a sexualized manner.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The advertisement was criticized for how it sexualised the product to appeal to a younger demographic.
  • In that ancient culture, they tended to sexualise natural forces, representing them as gods and goddesses.
  • The study argues that modern media often sexualises childhood.

Advanced Usage

• "to sexualise a relationship": to introduce or emphasize a sexual component in a relationship.
  • Their friendship was complicated when he began to sexualise it.
• "to sexualise language": to attribute gender or sexual characteristics through linguistic structure.
  • Some languages inherently sexualise nouns through grammatical gender.

Variants and Related Words

• Sexualize (verb): The more common spelling, especially in American English. It has the same meaning as sexualise.
  • The director refused to sexualize the character's innocence.
• Sexualisation/Sexualization (noun): The process or result of making something sexual.
  • The sexualisation of pop music is a frequent topic of debate.

Synonyms

• Eroticize: To give an erotic quality to.
• Sensualize: To make sensual; to treat in terms of physical pleasure.

Antonyms

• Desexualize: To divest of sexual character or implications.
• Neuter: To make gender-neutral or non-sexual.

Related Phrases

• "to attribute sex to": A more formal phrase similar to one meaning of sexualise.
  • The myth sexualised the river, attributing a female sex and spirit to it.

Verb

1. make sexual, endow with sex, attribute sex to
   • The god was sexualized and married to another god
   • Some languages sexualize all nouns and do not have a neuter gender